To promote Nottingham?s Carbon Neutral 2028 goal and what citizens can do to help, we are launching a 28-day challenge running in August. Every day there is a different free, fun activity led by a partner in the city, which teaches people about how to reduce their environmental impact. We have walking, cycling and growing challenges and much more, including art, sport and cooking.

Day #1?s challenge, on Saturday 1st August is seed planting. We have packs of bee-friendly herb seeds to give away so that people and organisations all over the city can #PlantAndPledge to join the 28 day challenge. We want as many people to know about the campaign as possible, especially in areas and organisations which don?t usually engage with sustainability projects, so please follow along, share posts on social media and most important try some of the challenges for yourself.

I am really pleased that this week the first handful of libraries have re-opened as part of a phased return throughout July and August. There are a number of new measures introduced to continue to help control the virus and keep local people safe. For the safety of?staff and all customers, we are asking visitors to:

• Keep a safe distance from each other
• Use hand sanitizer provided
• Use self-service machines
• Pay charges online where possible.

Face coverings are not mandatory in libraries but we are strongly encouraging people to wear one in our libraries. Likewise our library staff will be ensuring they clean surfaces regularly, book computers at the desk or by phone, safely store returned books for 72 hours and sometimes limit customers time in the library. To keep updated about what libraries are opening when and for more information please visit the Nottingham Libraries webpage - https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/libraries/coronavirus/.

Universities of Nottingham is a project that brings together Nottingham?s two universities and other local partners to work closer together to make Nottingham a better place. This week a Civic Agreement has been signed and published as part of the project with commitments to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for local citizens, families and communities. In light of the COVID-19 the agreement puts a lot of emphasis on recovering from the crisis. For example both Universities are committed in partnership with D2N2 and the council to support 2,000 businesses to help create 1000 new jobs over the next three years. I would like to thank UoN and Trent for taking the lead on this and also thank the 150 local partners who took part in conversations that shaped this agreement.? You can read more about the project here - https://www.universitiesfornottingham.ac.uk/.